I forgot to update xd, sorrry.
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The stairs creaked underfoot as the pair climbed higher. At last, they reached his apartment. While entering, Oliver quickly glanced around, ensuring nobody was watching. Satisfied that everything was safe, he unlocked the door and stepped inside.
"I think we can handle this for the time being," said Oliver. "You stay here, I'll check downstairs."
The girl nodded silently, still visibly shaken.
"Though I haven't encountered any zombies so far, I may not be so fortunate every time I go out."
After locking the door, Oliver proceeded cautiously down the narrow staircase. When he reached the bottom step, he froze instantly. Two dead bodies lay sprawled on either side of him. Blood covered their faces and stained their clothing. An old woman wearing a pink dress was lying against a wall with blood pouring out of her mouth.
'Shit, we didn't see these when we went up so the one that killed them must be close!' Oliver realized. 'Crap, I need to run!' Oliver thought as he remembered the worst thing about zombies: they infect others!
Oliver sprinted back up to his apartment and unlocked it swiftly. Inside, he found the girl trembling in fear.
"W-w-what's wrong?" She stammered.
Without answering Oliver went to pluck his notebook off the table. After opening it, he scanned the contents. It read: "If your companion gets infected, kill them immediately. Strikes to the head are the only way to kill them."
"Let's try to calm ourselves first," said Oliver calmly.
"...Okay..." The girl seemed unconvinced though.
Oliver grabbed her shoulder firmly. "Calm down."
"Y-yes..." The girl nodded weakly.
"Good."
Oliver sat down heavily on the couch. He tried desperately to keep his mind occupied with anything else but the terrible reality surrounding him.
The girl focused on breathing deeply and exhaling slowly. With great effort, she eventually succeeded in calming herself down.
Slowly, the shaking subsided. Still unable to move freely, she slumped onto the sofa opposite him. She stared blankly ahead at nothing, seemingly lost in deep contemplation. Oliver turned his attention to the television set. It was tuned to a news channel showing footage of people fleeing from a horde of undead creatures. He watched intently, trying hard not to show any signs of emotion.
"We will probably lose power soon." He felt numb. All of this was surreal. Like a nightmare, he couldn't wake up from. And yet, he knew it was real and that billions of people were suffering as well.
Then, he noticed something peculiar: the TV screen itself was flickering wildly. The picture kept breaking up and reappearing sporadically throughout the broadcast. One moment it looked like static interference, the next minute it was clear as crystal. Even worse, the volume dropped significantly whenever the signal became distorted. A few minutes later, the transmission cut out entirely.
That was when the lights flickered. First, one bulb went out, then another. Finally, all three bulbs died simultaneously. The room plunged into darkness.
The girl tensed and whimpered in fright.
Now, he was certain something horrible was happening to the world. Something bad enough to cause widespread blackouts everywhere.
"What is your name?" Oliver asked the girl in an attempt to calm her down. "Mine's Oliver."
"E-Elisa," Elisa replied timidly. "Thank y-you for s-saving me."
Oliver smiled sadly at her response.
Then a sudden realization hit him. 'Society will most likely fall in the next few days, there is nothing to restrain me anymore.' He thought as he realized that he is completely free now. Free to do whatever he wants. No longer bound by society's rules.
***
A couple of hours passed since Oliver had rescued Elisa. They spent most of that time talking about random topics while waiting for the electricity to come back online. However, the blackout lasted much longer than expected. By evening, they decided to cook dinner together.
There were a variety of canned foods left behind from before the apocalypse, including various meats, vegetables, fruits, grains, spices, and sauces.
"We can't use the stove or oven." Said, Oliver. "But we have plenty of ingredients here, we'll improvise."
They gathered up some cooking utensils, pots, and pans and got started preparing dinner. As they cooked, they talked endlessly about life before the apocalypse. About what they used to eat, where they lived... Everything.
Both Oliver and Elisa grew more comfortable with each other with every passing hour. He learned that she loved playing video games. She told him how she was bullied at school and how she hated the teachers.
As night fell, the duo ate their meal. Dinner was delicious, especially considering the circumstances. Oliver enjoyed having company after spending so long alone.
"My protection wont be free." Oliver suddenly blurted out.
Surprised by this declaration, Elisa looked confused. "Huh?"
Oliver was going to use her fear and desperation against her to get what he wanted.
"I have one requirement, your eternal servitude," Oliver stated.
Elisa was quiet for a minute straight before answering.
"O-o-okay," she murmured quietly.
"You will become my slave. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes," Elisa answered timidly.
"Do not ever betray me?"
"U-understand," she repeated obediently.
Oliver nodded. "Good."
Elisa swallowed nervously at the prospect of becoming a slave. For some reason, she didn't feel threatened by his statement. Perhaps because she trusted him? Or maybe it was just his charisma. Whatever the case might be, she accepted his proposal.
"I will leave for a few hours tomorrow, to get some clothes for you. All the shops should be deserted by then." He explained.
While listening to him speak, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. Not once during the entire conversation had he shown any sign of aggression or anger. Rather, he remained calm, collected, and reassuring. That was why she chose to trust him despite knowing little about him.
In return for serving him, he would make sure that she never suffered again. This was unbelievably generous of him given the situation. Now she understood how powerful his charm truly was. How easily it could manipulate anyone who happened to meet him.
When he finally finished speaking, Elisa gave him an understanding nod. "Understood."
Olivers Notes: [Companions are needed to survive, be sure to get some by any means necessary.]